PEACH WEEKENDER

News of Music: Sounds of music fill the summer calendar

The University of Santo Tomas Singers from the Philippines will perform June 27 at St. Joseph Church in Sylvania.Enlarge

The University of Santo Tomas Singers from the Philippines will be in town for a 7:30 p.m. concert June 27 at St. Joseph Church, 5373 Main St., Sylvania.

Named for St. Thomas Aquinas, the Manila institution was founded in 1611, the oldest university in Asia, according to the school’s website. It has grown from programs for theology and philosophy to offering a wealth of programs in most academic areas, including music, plus its seminary.

The choir was founded by Gener Calalang, Jr., in 1992 and is the university’s premier vocal ensemble. In 1995 and again in 2010 the chorale won grand prize in the Luciano Pavarotti Choir of the World competition.

Now with Calalang, the choir is on an international tour, performing programs comprising pop and gospel music, European classics, and kundiman, traditional Philippine ballads.

Tickets are $10-$20 at the door or in advance at 419-260-4115; ask for Norah.

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More choral music is in store at 5:25 p.m. June 29 when the Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir presents a concert in Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 640 Indiana Ave.

Led by Derrick E. Roberts, minister at the church, and Brian K. Thomas, the free performance will celebrate 25 years since the founding of the singing group.

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El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico will be in the spotlight at a benefit dance for the Believe Center, 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the center, 1 Aurora Gonzalez Dr.

The local dance group run by Elaina Hernandez is slated to start twirling big skirts and clacking heels at 7:15 p.m.

Music spun by local DJs Lalo Gonzales and Anthony Duran will keep things lively through the evening. Food and drink will be for sale. Admission is $10. For more information call 419-283-1628.

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Walbridge Park has announced its Summer Concert Series, free performances by local groups from 7-9 p.m. Thursdays in the riverside park’s bandstand. Tonight’s group is Extra Stout. Next week the Toledo School for the Arts Jazz Band will play.

Next month, concert dates are July 3, the Dave Browning Band, and July 31, the Bradberry's. Attendees should bring chairs and/​or blankets for seating.

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Rhythm on the River, the Grand Rapids free summer outdoor series, opens this weekend at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Wright Pavilion on the towpath between the Maumee River and the canal, at the end of Lincoln Street.

Leading off an eight-concert series will be the 730 Club, a four-piece soft rock/​classic alternative group that has gained popularity over its 20-year life.

The lineup continues with Russ Franzen and his Great Lakes History in Song program on July 6; DelGreco and Gorman, acoustic rock/​pop songwriters and performers, on July 20; Bliss, an acoustic folk/​rock band July 27, and Mustard’s Retreat, billed as Folk from the Heart, on Aug. 3.

Music continues with the North Coast Big Band, a 16-piece group led by Gary Keller, Aug. 24; Melody Road, performing originals and covers, Sept. 14, and (even though summer will be past) the Otsego Show Choir and High School Band, led by Janine Baughman and Rich Dubler, on Oct. 5.

In Tiffin, plans are nearly finished for the third annual Tiffin Music and Arts Festival, set for Friday-Sunday at Hedges-Boyer Park. The free event includes family-friendly activities, food, and beverages.

Music on four stages begins at 6 p.m. Friday and runs through 1 a.m. with a full roster of popular bands from northwest Ohio, including Minds Eye View at 8:15 p.m. Saturday’s schedule is noon-midnight, and on Sunday entertainment begins at noon and runs through 6 p.m. Toledo singer Morgen Stiegler will close out the music on the main stage.

Behind the plans are Nathan Mullins and Chelsea Bickelhaupt, recent graduates of Terra State Community College, which has provided them lots of support.

“We encourage everyone to come out to Hedges-Boyer Park and have a good time with us,” Mullins said.

Michael Shirtz, dean of business, communications, and the arts at Terra, praised the enterprising duo, now in their third season with the festival.

Proceeds are reinvested in the Tiffin community — this year for park maintenance and improvements. For a full listing of events visit www.tiffinmusicandartfestival.com.

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The musical duo Collage A Voce will perform in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. June 29 in Community of Christ Lutheran Church, 6517 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse. Members are Matthew Mauro, French hornist and pianist (and Anthony Wayne High School alumnus) and flutist Nave Graham.

Both performers have master’s degrees in performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Their programming includes works by Debussy, Schubert, Schwantner, and Rimsky-Korsakov as well as popular film score excerpts.

The duo frequently performs for younger listeners in an attempt to interest them in music, and they have been invited to tour Ireland and England in late July. Their performances will be in children’s care centers and hospices in Dublin, London, and Ipswich.

Proceeds from the offering taken at the concert will support this tour.

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This summer offers so many ways to make music as well as listen. A sampling from local offerings begins with Mardi Soirs (Tuesday nights) for Strings, a weekly gathering for adult amateurs who play violin, viola, cello, or bass at the University of Toledo.

There, faculty instructor Cecilia Johnson will lead the workshops with an eye and ear for the final concert, 8 p.m. July 22. Sessions run 7-9 p.m. at the UT Center for Performing Arts. Johnson requests that participants attend at least three sessions, including the final recital.

Cost ranges from $75 for three weeks to $120 for all five weeks including the concert.

From July 7-11, flute instructor and Toledo Symphony principal flutist Joel Tse will lead Flute Camp, an intense series of classes in breathing, technique, and coaching, with a final recital set for July 11. Players age 12 and older may participate. Cost is $300 for the week or $65 per day.

For more information on either session or others planned, call 419-530-2448.

Wind players will have lots of opportunities this summer, thanks to the Toledo Symphony’s plans for two flute choirs, divided by player level, led by Amy Heritage.

Both choirs will perform at the July 20 Music Under the Stars concert at the Toledo Zoo.

For more information and costs, contact the Toledo Symphony at 419-418-0022.

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